Harry



(N0 Model.) 2 SheetsSheet 1.

H. B. LYNCH.

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PIGKLING PIPE 0R BAR. No. 561,714. Patented June 9, 1896.

(No Model.) 4 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

H. B. LYNCH. METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PIGKLING PIPE 0R BAR.

No. 561,714. A Patented June '9, 1896.

N DRD' EGRAHAH, mmoumuwasuun GRIN D C.

UNITED STATES PATENT rrrcn.

HARRY l3. LYNCH, OF MCKEESPORT, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO EDMUND C. CONVERSE, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PICKLING PEPE OR BAR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 561 ,714, dated June 9, 1896.

Application filed April 8, 1895. $erial No. MHLQSO. (N0 model.)

To all whmn it may concern:

Be it known that I, HARRY B. LYNCH, a resident of Mcliecsport, in the county of Al legheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Methods of and Apparatus for Pickling Pipe or liar; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description thereof.

My invention relates to the pickling of metal pipe or bar as one of the steps in pre paring it for coating with metal, this pickling consisting in removing the oxid or scale from the pipe, so as to expose the clean metallic surfaces to which the molten metal adheres. This work has heretofore been accomplished by hand, the custom being to drop the pipe into the vat or tank and to agitate them therein by hand by means of crowbars or hooks, so as to, as far as possible, expose all the surfaces to the action of the sulfuric acid. lVhen the pipe were properly cleaned by the acid they were withdrawn by hand from the bath, and where the tank held a large number of pipe, as was necessary for anything like rapid work, it is evident that, as it required quite a long time to empty the tank, some of the pipe were either insufficientlycleaned or some were overacted upon by the acid, as if the metal is exposed too long to the action of the acid it renders the surface thereof uneven by eating into the same, and also is liable to impair the strength of the pipe.

The object of my present invention is to overcome these difficulties in the pickling of the pipe or bar, as well as reduce the labor of the workmen and the danger to which they are exposed during the operation as previously performed.

In practicing myinvention I insert the pipe into the pickling-bath in bulk, so that they all enter the bath at the same time, and I agitate the pipe when held in bulk and in line with each other, so as to expose all surfaces to the acid, such agitation being preferably accomplished by turning the mass of pipe together and thereby causing the pipe to roll over each other, preferably accomplishin g this by raising the mass of pipe from the bath and lowering it into the same and at the same time turning the mass as it is being raised and lowered.

My invention also comprises certain improvements in the treating-tank, which are applicable as well to, the pickling-tank and to the washing and fiuxing tanks; and it also comprises certain improvements in the mech anism for agitating the pipe duringthe pickling operation.

lo enable others skilled in the art to employ my invention, I will describe the same more fully, referring to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view, illustrating the general operation of agitating the pipe in bulk. Fig. 2 is a side view of the apparatus, showing the tank in section. Fi g. 8 is an end view showing the different treating-tanks an d sections, and Figs. i and 5 are detail views.

Like letters of reference indicate like parts in each.

For the pickling of the pipe or bar I en1 ploy a tank somewhat longer than the pipe or bar and of considerable dimensions, so as to receive and treat a large body of pipe at one time, it being my custom to treat somewhere in the neighborhood of ten tons of small pipe at each operation; and I will first describe the preferred construction of the tank, stating that the washing and fiuxing tanks are of practically the same construction, though, as shown in Fig. 3, they are somewhat deeper than the pickling-tank. The description, however, will apply to the different tanks.

The pickling-tank is formed of heavy plank, which is found to be the best material to resist the action of the acid, having the side walls a, end walls I), and bottom a, suitable plugs d being placed in the tank to provide for the emptying of the same. Extending across the tank some distance from the ends are the cross-bars e, and extending up from the same are the side bars f, the side bars being rigidly secured to the side walls, though the cross-bars c are preferably made removable to provide-for the cleaning of the tank, as a large body of heavy scale which is removed from the pipe by the acid treatment collects in the tank and is required to be re moved and the cross-bars would interfere with this work. By removing the cross-bars alarge part of this material will be carried off when Washing the tank, and the cleaning thereof is greatly facilitated for that purpose.

As shown in Fig. 1 and in detail in Figs. 4: and 5, the bases of the side bars f are mortised, as at f, angular seats being formed for the ends of the cross-bars, which are mortised in like manner, as at 0, so as to fit around the bases of the side bars, while the extensions (2 of the cross-bars fit in the mortises f of the side bars, and to hold the cross-bars in place I employ the 1OCklng bOltS a which pass down through the holes in the side bars and enter holes or seats provided for them in the extensions e of the cross-bars. These bolts are longitudinally movable, so that by drawing them out of said seats or holes the cross-bars can be removed sidewise out of the mortises f and so removed from the tank. The crossbars and side bars are of such thickness as to hold the pipe a sufficient distance above the base of the tank and away from the side walls to permit the passage of the carrying or agitating chains by which the pipe are handled around the mass of pipe when resting in the tank. As the movement of the heavy chains acts to wear out the side walls and bottom of the tank, I also place heavy boards, whichIterm chainguards, extend ing along the bottom and the sides of the tank, as at h, being generally formed close to the cross-bars and side bars, which will take the wear of the chains as the pipe is lowered into the tank or withdrawn therefrom or as the chains are passed around or withdrawn from the mass of pipe.

The pipe are handled in bulk, as above stated, and for that purpose I employ any suitable overhead crane, such as the crane 7c, traveling on the tracks 2, which are supported on columns 71. The crane shown is adapted to be operated by an endless traveling rope, and as the general construction of the crane does not form part of the application I will not describe it further than necessary. For the handling of the chains supporting the pipe-carrier N, I employ the sheaves Z, to which the power is applied in any suitable way, that shown being by the shaft Z, extending longitudinally of the crane-bod y and carrying the bevel-pinions Z meshing with bevelpinions Z on the worm-shafts 1*, which carry worms Z engaging with worm-wheels Z. The supporting-chains m from the crane are secured to these sheaves so as to be wound thereon and pass down around the sprocket-wheels m of the pipe-carrier N,and extend thence upwardly and are connected to the crane-body, as at m This pipe-carrier N forms part of the present invention, as the pipe are agitated by means of it, and I will therefore more fully describe the construction of the same. It has the main shaft 01, and the sprocket-wheels m are rigidly secured on the shaft, and in addition to that the pipe-carrier has the agitatingsprockets '22 which are also rigid with the shaft 01, so that the turning of the shaft or of the pipe-carrier turns the sprockets n. The chains g g, by which the pipe is lifted to be agitated, pass around the sprockets n, and as the pipe carrier is raised or lowered through the chains m it is evident that in the winding up or lowering of the same they act to turn the pipe-carrier and therefore to turn the agitating-sprockets n and thereby to draw upon the agitating-chains g g in one direction or the other, which acts to turn the mass of pipe supported thereby, and by causing the pipe to roll over in the mass, as hereinafter described, gives the necessary agita tion thereto. The agitating-chains are provided with ring-and-hook connections 19 p of such size that they will easily pass over the sprocket-wheels n. One chain is made longer than the other, as shown in Fig. 2, so as to hold the mass of pipe at an incline and provide for the draining of the pipe when it is raised from the bath.

Hanging loosely on the pipe-carrier shaft are the double hooks 4*, which depend from sleeves 0*, fitting around the shaft it, these hooks being employed for the ordinary carrying operations and the handling of the pipe in bringing it to and carrying it from the pickling-tank or introducing itinto the washin g or fiuxing tanks, where it is not necessary to agitate it. The carrying-chains s s have large rings 8 at their ends to engage with such hooks, as shown in Fig. 2. As the continuous action of the acid upon the agitating or carrying chains is liable to rust or eat out the same if the chains are left in the pickling-bath, I provide for the removal of the chains during the pickling operation by means of copper-wire ropes t, which have hooks at their ends, and when the chains are withdrawn the ropes are connected to them, so that the ropes 'r are drawn under the mass of the pipe, and when it is necessary to again insert the chains for agitating or carrying the pipe they are caught onto the hooks of the wire ropes and drawn under the mass. These wire ropes are shown in Fig. 1 in the position they occupy during the pickling of the pipe.

In practicing my invention, the apparatus above described, I prefer to employ at least two pickling-tanks A, and the one in use is filled with a strong solution of sulfuric acid, and to quicken the action the liquid may be heated by the admission of steam thereto through suitable pipes. The washing-tank B has suitable supply and overflow pipes, so that the water is constantly passing through the same, and the fluXing-tank is filled with suitable fluxing liquid, such as a solution of muriatic acid. The operator then carries the pipe to the pickling-tank from any suitable storage-floor, such as the storage-floor described in the application of even date herewith, Serial N 0. 544,931, passing the carryingchains 5 8 around the pipe and connecting them to the hooks r r of the pipe-carrier, and by means of the crane he thus carries the pipe in bulk to the pickling-tank and lowers the whole mass into the same at one time, the mass of pipe to be treated being thus inserted together, so that the pickling action commences on all at the same time. He then hooks on the wire ropes if and draws out the carrying-chains, leaving the wire ropes in the tank, and he leaves thepipe in the bath generally for about half the necessary time for pickling, it being found that it is generally necessary to agitate the pipe only once during the pickling action. To agitate the pipe, he then hooks onto the wire ropes the agitating-chains g g and draws them under the mass of pipe in the tank and passes them over the agitating'sprockets n of the pipe-carrier and connects the chains together, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. He then starts the crane to lift the mass of pipe, and as the chains m are wound on the sheaves Zthey turn the pipecarrier through the sprockets m and thereby turn the agitatingchains through the sprockets n, and as the mass of pipe is lifted from the bath the whole mass is rolled over and the pipe on the top of the mass rolls over the mass of pipe below it, while by turning the whole mass the pipes are caused to move over each other, which causes them to change positions with relation to each other and so acts to expose any part of the surface of the pipe which, on account of contacting with other pipes, may not have been properly acted on by the acid. As the pipe are lowered back into the bath the same action takes place in the opposite direction, and my custom is to raise and lower the whole mass of pipe together in this way two or more times, so as to insure the proper agitation thereof. After the pipe has been thus agitated and lowered back into the tank the agitating-chains are withdrawn and the mass of pipe is permitted to remain within the bath until the pickling operation is accomplished. The operators then pass the carrying-chains .9 back under the mass by means of the wire ropes and connect the chains onto the carrying-hooks. The mass is then lifted in bulk out of the picklingbath, so that not only is the whole mass of pi pe inserted together, but it is Withdrawn together, and the whole mass therefore is exposed at the same time to the pickling action. The pipes are then permitted to drain, being held at an incline, as above stated, by the different lengths of the carrying-chains, and they are then carried by the crane and lowered into the washing-tank and permitted to rest therein until all the acid is thoroughly washed therefrom, the chains being removed, if desired, though that in the fluxing treatment is not necessary. As soon as the pipe are thoroughly washed they are then lifted from the washing-tank and permitted to drain and then lowered into the fluXing-tank and finally raised therefrom and permitted to drain. My custom is then to carry the pipe to the drying-oven described in application filed of even date herewith, Serial No. 544,929,

where they are dried before being coated with metal. In this way I am enabled to handle the pipe with a minimum expenditure of labor, and by introducing the pipe in bulk into the piokling-tank, agitating the pipe in bulk, and removing the pipe in bulk from said tank to obtain the proper and even pickling or cleaning of the entire mass and to prevent either the underaction or the overaction of the acid upon the metal, which is of great importance in producing evenlycoated pipe. I am also enabled to operate with about one-third the labor usually required on such operations.

By means of the cross-bars and the side bars in the tanks I am enabled to hold the pipe above the bottom and away from the side, so that the chains can be easily passed around the pipe either from the end of the mass or by means of the wire ropes above referred to, and I am enabled also to hold the pipe above any impurities which gather in the bottom of the tanksuch, for example, as the scale or oxid which collects therein.

YVhen it is necessary to clean the tank from such impurities, the cross-bars e are removed by drawing upon the bolts 6 and the plugs (Z withdrawn, when the contents of the tank are permitted to pass out, and because of the removal of the cross-bars a large portion of the oXid, &c., is carried out in this way and but little labor is required to remove the remainder.

No claim is made herein for the general method of treating the pipe previous to coating with the metal, such as included in the steps of carrying the pipe to and from the baths in bulk transversely of their length and to the drying-oven, which have been incidentally described above, as that forms the subject-matter of another application filed of even date herewith, Serial No. emcee.

hat I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. The method of pickling pipe or other cylindrical bodies for coating with metal, con sisting in suspending a mass or bulk of pipe in supports at each end above the bath, lowering the entire mass of pipe transversely of its length into the bath for treatment therein and agitating the pipe in bulk during the pickling operation by turning the mass and thereby causing the pipe to roll over each other, substantially as set forth.

2. The method of pickling pipe or other cylindrical bodies for coating with metal, consisting in suspending a mass or bulk of pipe in support-s at each end above the bath, lowerin g the entire mass of pipe transversely of its length into the bath for treatment therein and agitating the pipe in bulk by raising and lowering the mass and at the same time turnin g the mass of pipe, substantially as set forth.

3. A tank for treating pipe or bar for coating with metal, having cross-bars extending across the bottom and vertical bars extending up the side walls, the vertical bars being per- IOC IIO

manently fixed and the cross-bars being normall yfixed but removable from the tank, substantially as set forth.

4. A tank for treating pipe or bar for coating With metal, having cross-bars extending across the bottom and vertical side bars extending up the side walls at points between the center and ends thereof, and having chain-guards of less thickness than the supporting-bars, extending across the bottom and up the side walls of the tank, substantially as set forth.

5. A tank for treating pipe or bar for coating with metal having removable cross-bars extending across the bottom and fixed vertical bars extending up the side Walls, these bars being mortised so as to fit into each other, in combination with vertically-movable holding-bolts entering the cross-bars, substantially as set forth.

6. The combination of a tank for treating pipe or bar for coating with metal having supportin g-bars extending across the bottom and up the side Walls, a traveling crane, a pipecarrier supported thereby and chains hung from the pipe-carrier and adapted to be passed around the pipe When supported by the bars Within the tank, substantially as set forth.

7. The combination with a treating-tank of a supportingcrane above the same having sheaves thereon, a pipe-carrier formed of a shaft having two sets of sprocket-wheels rigid thereon, chains secured rigidly to the cranebody at one end and passing down around one such set, and thence up to the sheaves on the crane, and chains passing around the other set of sprocket-Wheels and around a mass of pipe or bar to be agitated, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I, the said HARRY B. LYNCH, have hereunto set my hand.

HARRY B. LYNCH. liVitnesses:

JAMES I. KAY, ROBERT C. TOTTEN. 

